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She let her eyes trace over every one of his scars to distract her from the challenge to come. They looked even more horrifying in the dim lighting and her heart broke with pity. He must have been in a world of pain when he had received them and it was a miracle he had even survived looking at the extent of the wounds.

"Now you see me as I am." He started. "I am no charming prince and if you cannot be with me, I won’t force you."

He still thought she would be bothered by his scars?

Had he not known her still? She wondered.

"I want you, husband." She said honestly. "I’m afraid if we were to stop now, I might die from wanting."

His eyes widened at her words but he still had not moved.

"Come, husband." She gestured with a hand out to him.

He still did not move but watched her.

She knew then that fear still had its hooks firmly inside him and if she did not make the first move, nothing would go well with them that night and even beyond.

If she wanted to know the man she had married, she would need to be the one chipping away at the walls that stood between them.

His eyes watch her as she came to him, still watching her intensely as a hand rose to touch him.

His breath hitched when her hand moved to the worst of the scars which wrapped around his right shoulder and chest and she gasped at how deep the wound ran.

"How did you survive this?" she asked softly meeting his eyes. "It’s a miracle you’re alive."

"Indeed." He affirmed.

His voice was gruff and he had not taken his eyes off her hands on his scars.

"What happened?" she inquired.

His eyes glazed over as if reliving a painful memory and she was sorry she had asked.

"I am sorry. I shouldn’t have asked." She apologized.

"It is alright." He answered meeting her eyes. "I am just surprised they don’t repel you."

"They only intrigue me." She answered. "And show me just how strong you are."

His eyes studied hers deeply and after a long minute of her wondering what he was thinking, he smiled.

"You are a remarkable woman, Victoria." He smiled. "And I need to make love to you."

She gasped and blushed as his hands circled her waist. He pulled her against himself and she felt the hard ridge of him against her belly.

"I apologize now that it might be difficult for me to be gentle with you today." He told her as his hands fully undressed, taking his time to kiss up her calf to her thigh and then her abdomen and her breast.

She nodded, wrapping her legs around him as he picked her up. He led them to the bed, placing her in the middle safely.

His hands moving to line himself up with her core. The head of him was large and when he pushed inside her, she tensed at fear of pain.

"You have to relax, Victoria." He whispered kissing her softly.

"I worry you might not fit." She admitted.

"I will. You just have to trust me."

She nodded and looking into his eyes.